Elkins officials look at splash pad

August 28, 2013

Elkins city officials have taken a special interest in Revelle's River Resort in Bowden after visiting the site of the resort's new splash pad.

Mayor Van Broughton and other Elkins officials have been researching what it would take to install a water attraction within city limits.

Brenda and Joseph Lambert, who help operate Revelle's, said the project took two years of research to get to this point. Originally interested in installing a pool, the Lamberts soon found that due to a combination of weather conditions and protected fishing areas, a splash pad would be more feasible and area-friendly.

"One of the best features of this project is that it can be adapted to nasty weather conditions," Brenda Lambert said.

The splash pad at Revelle's is scheduled to be completed by this weekend and will be open for the public to enjoy throughout the holiday, and, eventually, throughout the summer months each year.

"We are still planning on building a pavilion and extending the fencing around the area," Joseph Lambert said. "But we will be functional by the weekend."

The project cost roughly $32,000, and despite the large amount of planning, the actual facility will be built within a week's span.

Logan Smith of the Elkins Historic Landmarks Commission, one of the officials spearheading the water attraction movement in Elkins, said the Revelle's facility has provided a learning experience .

"We are excited to see a working splash pad in the county," Smith said. "We have learned a lot from this experience and appreciate the cooperation and support of the Lamberts and all of the Revelle's community."

The Lamberts have agreed to help the city in any way they can.

"We are excited for them to see them get something like this for people to enjoy in the city," said Brenda Lambert. "We are just happy to be part of the process."

Organizers have turned to citizens within the community to help get the movement going. Committees have been assigned to help research the various aspects it would take to create a water attraction in the area. The group's most recent meeting was Aug. 21.

According to Smith, one of the biggest hurdles to overcome is finding a viable spot for the water attraction.

"We need a location, preferably within the city, that is one to two acres wide and has room to build a larger facility," Smith explained. "We know the interest is there in the community. Now we just need to start looking at ways to push the project forward."

The next meeting of the pool-planning community group is scheduled for Sept. 21 at 5:30 p.m. at Garden House located at 421 Davis Ave. in Elkins. All of the meetings are open to the public.

For more information follow the group on Facebook, under the page title "Community Support for a Public Splash Pad/Pool in Elkins WV."